Clamp

ABSTRACT

One exemplary embodiment can be a clamp for securing a tray in a vessel. The clamp may include a jaw. Generally, the jaw has a first offset position with the tray unsecured, and a second aligned position with the tray secured in the vessel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a clamp, which may be particularly suited to secure a cover in a vessel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Trays are typically used in gas-liquid contacting vessels, such as reactors, absorbers, strippers, and distillation columns. Often, trays are installed during initial construction of the vessel, or removed or installed during a downtime for, e.g., maintenance or refurbishing of the vessel. Bolts and nuts may be used to secure the tray within the vessel to a support ring positioned along an internal circumference of the vessel.

However, traditional bolts and nuts can suffer from several disadvantages. Particularly, installing a nut and bolt arrangement can require extensive time and labor for the securing of the nut along the entire length of the bolt. In addition, during such installation, excessive torque applied to the nut can damage the bolt by, e.g., stripping the threads. Moreover, galling can occur during hydroprocessing conditions, which may lead to the welding of the threaded high points of the nut and the bolt. In such an instance, bolts may have to be cut to remove trays.

Consequently, there is a desire to provide a new fastening arrangement for trays inside a vessel that overcomes these disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One exemplary embodiment can be a clamp for securing a tray in a vessel. The clamp may include a jaw. Generally, the jaw has a first offset position with the tray unsecured, and a second aligned position with the tray secured in the vessel.

Another exemplary embodiment may be a method of clamping a member to an internal structure of a vessel. The method can include coupling a clamp to the member. Typically, the clamp includes a tensioned jaw and a mechanical fastener adapted for manipulation with a tool. Generally, the clamp has a first position disconnected with the internal structure and a second position engaged with the internal structure. The method can also include manipulating the mechanical fastener to move the jaw from the first position to the second position to engage the internal structure.

A further exemplary embodiment can be a vessel including an enclosure defining an interior volume, at least one internal structure, a tray, and a removable clamp securing the tray to the internal structure. Generally, the removable clamp has ajaw and a mechanical fastener. Typically, the jaw forms an aperture for receiving a mechanical fastener there-through, and the mechanical fastener is adapted to be manipulated with a tool to position the jaw in a first offset position and a second aligned position to clamp the tray to the internal structure.

The clamp as disclosed herein can provide a suitable mechanism for securing a tray within a vessel without solely relying on bolts and nuts, which have the deficiencies as described above. As such, the embodiment disclosed herein will facilitate the removal and installation of one or more trays during, e.g., a downtime for maintenance or equipment refurbishing. Particularly, during downtimes it is usually advantageous to proceed quickly due to the desire to restart the unit.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the term “coupled” can mean two items, directly or indirectly, joined, fastened, associated, connected, or formed integrally together either by chemical or mechanical means, by processes including stamping, molding, or welding. What is more, two items can be coupled by the use of a third component such as a mechanical fastener, e.g. a screw, a nail, a staple, or a rivet; an adhesive; or a solder.

As used herein, the term “substantially crescent-shaped” generally means a ring with one circular sector removed. Generally the circular sector has an angle less than about 180°, preferably less than about 120°, and optimally less than about 90°.

As used herein, the term “manipulated” can mean directly or indirectly altering the position or orientation of an element, such as a mechanical fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional, schematic depiction of a portion of an exemplary vessel.

FIG. 2 is an elevational, side depiction of an exemplary clamp in an offset position.

FIG. 3 is another elevational, side view of the exemplary clamp in an aligned position.

FIG. 4 is a top, plan view of an exemplary pre-loading member.

FIG. 5 is a top, plan view of an exemplary tray depicting the exemplary clamp in phantom in an offset position.

FIG. 6 is another top, plan view depicting the exemplary clamp in phantom in an aligned position.

FIG. 7 is an elevational, side view along the lines 7-7 of FIG. 5 of the exemplary clamp in the offset position.

FIG. 8 is a side, elevational view of the exemplary clamp along line 8-8 of FIG. 6 in the aligned position.

FIG. 9 is a further elevational side, elevational view along lines 9-9 of FIG. 7 of the exemplary clamp in the offset position.

FIG. 10 is another side, elevational view of the exemplary clamp along line 10-10 of FIG. 8 of the exemplary clamp in the aligned position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments may be depicted in FIGS. 1-10, which are schematic depictions. Thus, the depicted elements are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary vessel 100 is depicted. The vessel 100 can be any suitable vessel, such as a reactor, an absorber, a stripper, or distillation column. Generally, such a vessel 100 can facilitate mass transfer operations in any flow orientation, such as downflow, upflow, co-current flow, and counter-current flow for one or more fluids, such as a gas, a liquid, or a mixed-phase of liquid and gas. Often, the vessel 100 can include one or more vapor and/or liquid mixing, contacting, collecting, and/or redistributing trays.

Generally, the vessel 100 forms an enclosure 120 surrounding an interior volume 140. The enclosure 120 can contain an internal structure 200, which can include a support ring 220 and one or more beams 230, and the one or more members 240, which are typically one or more trays 240. Usually, the one or more trays 240 form several openings of the same or, independently, different sizes for permitting the passage of fluid there-through, such as allowing liquid to flow downward and gas to rise upwards to facilitate mass transfer operations. Although one tray 240 is depicted, it should be understood that any number of trays may be included. The tray 240 can include other structures, such as bubble caps, tray valves, downcorners, and weirs to facilitate desired operations. Generally, one or more clamps 300 can secure the tray 240 to the support ring 220 or other internal structure 200 components, such as the one or more beams 230 that can underlie the tray 240. Typically, the support ring 220 encircles the interior volume 140 and is secured by any suitable means, such as welding, to the interior walls of the vessel 100. The beams 230 can also be coupled to the walls of the vessel 100, using any suitable means, such as welding.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, an exemplary clamp 300 is depicted. In these figures, some elements of the vessel 100 may be cross-hatched for illustrative purposes only. The clamp 300 can include a jaw 310, and a mechanical fastener 340. Generally, the jaw 310 has a lower arm 324 and an upper arm 328 formed at an elbow 320. The lower arm 324 and the upper arm 328 can be coupled together by any suitable means, such as welding, and preferably are formed integrally together, as the jaw 310 can be formed as a single piece using any suitable means, such as molding or stamping. The upper arm 328 of the jaw 310 can also form an end 330. Desirably, the end 330 does not touch the tray 240.

In addition, the clamp 300 can include the mechanical fastener 340, which in this preferred embodiment is a bolt 340. The bolt 340 can have a head 344, a shaft 346, and an end 348. Generally, the head 344 is coupled to the lower arm 324 using any suitable means, such as welds. The end 348 can be fashioned to be manipulated by a tool and can take any suitable shape such as cubed or beveled. Alternatively, the end 348 of the bolt 340 can be cylindrical and not have any beveled edge. In this preferred embodiment, the end 348 is square-shaped with a beveled edge. In addition, the clamp 300 can further include a nut 350, a washer 354, a spring 360, and a preloading member 370. Generally, the tray 240 forms an aperture 318 that can receive the bolt 340. The nut 350, the washer 354, and the spring 360 can be positioned on the shaft 346 on the bolt 340 above the tray 240 proximate to the end 348. Typically, the spring 360 can tension the jaw 310 to tightly secure the clamp 300 and tray 240 to the support ring 220.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the preloading member 370 in this exemplary embodiment can have a substantially crescent-shape 380. The preloading member 370 in conjunction with the end 330 can facilitate aligning and offsetting the clamp 300. Referring to FIG. 4, the end 330 (in phantom) is shown in the first position 314 underneath the preloading member 370. The end 330 is also depicted in the second position 316 between the first and second edges 384 and 388 of the substantially crescent-shape 380.

Manipulating the end 348 of the bolt 340 can rotate the end 330 of the jaw 310. When the jaw 310 is in a first position 314 offset and disconnected, the end 330 is abutting the preloading member 370 lowering the lower arm 324 of the jaw 310 to a first elevation 334 in a first position 314 offset and disconnected with the support ring 220. By manipulating the beveled end 348 of the mechanical fastener 340, the end 330 of the jaw 310 can be rotated. As a result, the spring 360 expands against the tray 240 and the washer 254, pushing the nut 350 upward along with the bolt 340. The jaw 310 can be in a second position 316 raised to a second elevation 336, aligned and engaged with the support ring 220 as depicted in FIG. 3. Generally, the second elevation 336 is higher than the first elevation 334. Thus, the jaw 310 can be rotated between the first position 314 and the second position 316 to engage and disconnect the jaw 310 for securing the tray 240 to the support ring 220 within the vessel 100. The end 330 can be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise to rotate the jaw 310 in a corresponding manner.

Referring to FIGS. 5-10, the exemplary clamp 300 is depicted with a different preloading member 390, which can include at least one spacer 390. The clamp 300 can be in an offset, disconnected first position 314 in FIGS. 5, 7, and 9; and in an aligned, engaged second position 316 in FIGS. 6, 8, and 10. Moreover, some elements of the clamp 300 may be illustrated in phantom for illustrative purposes only.

The clamp 300 can include the jaw 310, the mechanical fastener or bolt 340, the nut 350, the washer 354, and the spring 360, as discussed above. The at least one spacer 390 can include a first spacer 392 and a second spacer 396. Each spacer 392 and 396 can be substantially prism-shaped except for a respective tapered side. Moreover, spacers 392 and 396 of various sizes can be utilized and may be smaller in relation to the other elements than as depicted. Only the spacer 396 is depicted with a tapered side 398, but it should be understood that both spacers 392 and 396 can have respective tapered sides. Although two spacers 392 and 396 are depicted, it should be understood that only one spacer 396 may be used, and each spacer 392 and 396 can have more than one tapered side 398. In some preferred embodiments, each spacer 392 and 396 can have tapered sides on opposing ends, e.g., the side opposing end 398. It is generally desirable to use at least two spacers 392 and 396 if the jaw 310 can be blocked by an obstacle, such as other equipment, within the vessel 100 to permit positioning the jaw 310 in either direction. The spacers 392 and 396 can be coupled to the tray 240 using any suitable means, and typically can be coupled to the tray 240 before clamping.

In operation, the jaw 310 can be in a first position 314, namely offset and disconnected with the support ring 220. In addition, the jaw 310 can be in a second position 316 aligned and engaged with the support ring 220. Rotating the end 348 either clockwise or counter-clockwise can rotate the end 330 of the upper arm 328, respectively, onto or off of one of the spacers 392 or 396. In this exemplary embodiment, the end 330 can be rotated onto or off of the spacer 396. Rotating the end 348 in the clockwise direction can cause the end 330 of the jaw 310 to dislodge from the spacer 396, slide down the tapered side 398, and hence raise and position the lower arm 324 into an engaged position 316 with the support ring 220. Particularly, the spring 360 can expand against the tray 240 and the washer 354 to raise the nut 350 and bolt 340. Thus, the spring 360 can tension the jaw 310 to allow the lower arm 324 to be raised when removed from the spacer 396. This tensioning can secure the tray 240 to the support ring 220. Generally, the end 330 does not touch the tray 240 in the second position 316 to engage the jaw 310 with the support ring 220. Particularly, a length of the upper arm 328 of the jaw 310 is less than the thickness of the support ring 220 or other structure 200 secured by the clamp 300. Rotating counter-clockwise can reverse these steps to release the jaw 310 from the support ring 220. Hence, this jaw 310 can more efficiently permit the installing and uninstalling of the tray 240 with the support ring 220.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. 

1. A clamp for securing a tray in a vessel, comprising: 1) a jaw having: a) a first offset position with the tray unsecured; and b) a second aligned position with the tray secured in the vessel.
 2. The clamp according to claim 1, wherein the jaw forms an aperture there-through, and the clamp further comprises: a mechanical fastener extending through the aperture having a head at one end and a shaft extending there-from wherein the shaft terminates in an end adapted to be manipulated with a tool.
 3. The clamp according to claim 2, wherein the terminated end comprises a beveled portion.
 4. The clamp according to claim 3, further comprising a nut and a washer coupled proximate to the beveled portion of the shaft.
 5. The clamp according to claim 4, further comprising a spring positioned between the head of the mechanical fastener and the washer for tensioning the jaw.
 6. The clamp according to claim 1, further comprising a preloading member for adjusting the jaw to a first elevation at the first offset position and a second elevation at the second aligned position.
 7. The clamp according to claim 6, wherein the preloading member forms a substantially crescent-shape.
 8. The clamp according to claim 6, wherein the preloading member further comprises at least one spacer coupled to the tray.
 9. The clamp according to claim 8, wherein the jaw forms an elbow with a lower arm substantially horizontal, and an upper arm substantially vertical, and the upper arm terminating in an end adapted to abut the at least one spacer at the first offset position.
 10. A method of clamping a member to an internal structure of a vessel, comprising: 1) coupling a clamp to the member wherein the clamp comprises a tensioned jaw and a mechanical fastener adapted for manipulation with a tool wherein the clamp has a first position disconnected with the internal structure and a second position engaged with the internal structure; and 2) manipulating the mechanical fastener to move the jaw from the first position to the second position to engage the internal structure.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the member comprises a tray and the clamp further comprises a nut and a washer, wherein the nut and washer are positioned on the mechanical fastener near an end and above the tray, and the mechanical fastener is coupled to the tray.
 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the clamp further comprises a spring positioned between the washer and the tray wherein the spring tensions the jaw.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the clamp further comprises a preloading member secured underneath the tray.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the preloading member is a substantially crescent-shape, wherein positioning one end of the jaw abutting the preloading member is the first position and abutting the tray is the second position.
 15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the preloading member comprises a spacer, wherein the method further comprises: coupling the spacer to the tray before coupling the jaw to the tray.
 16. A vessel, comprising: A) an enclosure defining an interior volume; B) at least one internal structure; C) a tray; and D) a removable clamp securing the tray to the internal structure; wherein the removable clamp comprises: 1) a jaw; and 2) a mechanical fastener; wherein the jaw forms an aperture for receiving a mechanical fastener there-through, and the mechanical fastener is adapted to be manipulated with a tool to position the jaw in a first offset position and a second aligned position to clamp the tray to the internal structure.
 17. The vessel according to claim 16, wherein the removable clamp further comprises a spring for tensioning the jaw to clamp the tray in the second aligned position.
 18. The vessel according to claim 16, wherein the removable clamp further comprises a preloading member.
 19. The vessel according to claim 18, wherein the preloading member forms a substantially crescent-shape.
 20. The vessel according to claim 18, wherein the preloading member comprises at least one spacer coupled to the tray. 